06/07/2026
KANO PEER REVIEW TO BOOST QUALITY HEALTHCARE, STRENGTHEN REGULATION IN NIGER STATE
Nigerlites are set to benefit from improved quality, safer and more accountable private healthcare services as the Niger State Private Health Facilities Agency Nisphfa moves to strengthen its regulatory framework through strategic partnerships and the adoption of proven best practices.
The Executive Chairman of NISPHFA, Dr. Abdullahi Suleiman, gave this assurance during a peer review and learning visit by the Agency's management team to the Private Health Institutions Management Agency (PHIMA) in Kano State. He said the visit was aimed at understudying PHIMA's regulatory processes, operational strategies and innovations for possible adaptation in Niger State.
Dr. Suleiman explained that although NiSPHFA was established on May 5, 2025, the Agency has recorded significant achievements within its first 120 days, including the deployment of an online registration platform for private health facilities. He noted that the learning visit forms part of the Agency's commitment to continuous improvement in order to guarantee quality healthcare services for the people of Niger State.
The Executive Chairman commended the management of PHIMA for its warm reception and willingness to share its experiences, stressing that collaboration and peer learning remain vital to building a strong and effective regulatory system capable of protecting patients and promoting excellence among private healthcare providers.
In her presentation, the Acting Director-General of PHIMA, Mrs. Khadija Sa'id, described the regulation of private healthcare institutions as a demanding but essential responsibility that requires commitment, professionalism and integrity. She applauded NiSPHFA for the remarkable milestones it has achieved within a short period of its establishment and encouraged the Agency to sustain the momentum by prioritising effective field operations, transparency and accountability.
Mrs. Sa'id advised NISPHFA to maintain close collaboration with security agencies, including the Police and the DSS, during enforcement operations. She also recommended the adoption of a fully digital payment system to eliminate cash transactions and ensure that all payments are made directly into government accounts, thereby strengthening transparency.
She further highlighted PHIMA's use of QR code-enabled certificates to curb forgery and explained that the Agency regulates traditional and alternative medicine practitioners through a dedicated desk and a steering committee that fosters collaboration among different categories of healthcare providers.
The PHIMA boss also encouraged NISPHFA to engage traditional birth attendants through regular training on safe delivery practices, family planning and appropriate referral systems. According to her, integrating these frontline caregivers into the healthcare system will improve maternal and child health outcomes while expanding access to quality healthcare services, especially in underserved communities.
Mrs. Sa'id further called for stronger collaboration with professional bodies, including the Nigerian Medical Association, while emphasising the need to prioritise staff welfare, inspection incentives and regular supportive supervision to enhance professionalism, efficiency and accountability within the Agency.
Also speaking, the Director of Nursing Services, Aisha Garba, and the Director of Medical Services, Dr. Suleiman Ibrahim, took the visiting delegation through PHIMA's inspection procedures and regulatory standards. As a mark of collaboration, copies of the NiSPHFA Regulation and Registration Guidelines were presented to the Acting Director-General of PHIMA. The visit is expected to strengthen NISPHFA's capacity to regulate private health facilities more effectively, ultimately translating into safer healthcare services and better health outcomes for Nigerlites.
06-07-2026
